T.J. Galiardi

General manager Jim Johannson ruled out the possibility of the U.S. men's hockey team having NHL draft-eligible prospects competing at the Winter Olympics in February.

Johannson told The Associated Press on Thursday he doesn't view anyone from the 18-and-younger pool of prospects capable of cracking the projected lineup of non-NHL players, many of whom are opening this season on teams in Europe.

"We're going to be too good," said Johannson, who is also USA Hockey's assistant executive director. "There's no quote-unquote underage kids that could make this level of a team."

Though much of the team will be comprised of former NHL players, Johannson...

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General manager Jim Johannson ruled out the possibility of the U.S. men's hockey team having NHL draft-eligible prospects competing at the Winter Olympics in February. Johannson told The Associated Press on Thursday he doesn't view anyone from the...